Album Notes

Mike Martin Independent Guitarist and Composer Lead Guitarist for: FOZZY The Duke Stuck Mojo www.mikemartin.net Biography Mike Martin began his life on stage. Literally. Mike’s mother was pregnant while she was in college studying and performing opera. He never had a chance! He began his formal study of music at the age of four, learning violin and singing in choir throughout elementary school. At nine years old he started playing the piano. In 1985 he discovered the guitar and was given one that year as a Christmas present. Teaching himself to play by ear, Mike quickly developed a repertoire of popular rock music learning every AC/DC riff he could. In junior high, Mike began seeking out teachers who could help further him along as a player. After a short stint with music store lessons, Mike was accepted to study at The Concord Community Music School in Concord New Hampshire, studying Classical Guitar with Christopher Kane and Jazz Guitar with David Tonkin. Mike earned his first professional job as a guitarist playing 12-string guitar for the New Life Singers, a contemporary Christian folk ensemble based out of Concord. At fifteen, Mike created a new rock band and began performing all over New Hampshire with musicians who were already out of high school. Eager to learn as much as possible about the guitar, Mike took an opportunity to move to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1990 to begin studying with Tom Yoder, a local guitar wizard that Mike credits for bringing out the discipline and skills he would need for a lifetime of music achievement. During this time, Mike continued performing in the Myrtle Beach area with local bands. Mike stayed under Tom’s tutelage until graduating from high school in 1992. Mike moved to Atlanta in 1992 with the group Tunnel Vision in hopes of getting his performing career off the ground. The new Alternative and Grunge movements made it difficult for Mike to secure many opportunities, but he did make some acquaintances along the way. Mike did a short stint at a Georgia landscaping company where he met Rich Ward of Stuck Mojo and Sean Delson and Doug Busbee of Salem Ash. Little did he realize the significance of this brief encounter. Discouraged, Mike did the only thing he could think of: Go To College! Here he studied Music Theory and Composition with Dr. David Maves, ASCAP Composer of the Year 1995. He also continued his Classical guitar studies with Mark Regnier and Jazz studies with Tommy Gill. After graduating in 1999, Mike moved back to Atlanta to pick up where he had left off and soon found work in the thriving Atlanta Blues Scene as a mercenary sideman for hire. Mike also had great success performing with his Nuevo Gypsy / Flamenco duo with Ed Wier. Mike began showcasing his writing with the group The Hybrids in 2000, which ultimately lead to Mike starting a group under his own name in 2002. Mike was approached by Sean Delson in the summer of 2004 on behalf of Rich Ward and FOZZY to take over lead guitar responsibilities, as they were beginning a world tour to support their latest record “All That Remains.” Since then Mike has recorded his first CD, “2 of 5,” to be released in June 17th 2006, touring with FOZZY and recorded The Duke’s new release on Spitfire Records “My Kung Fu Is Good.” (Released worldwide May 2005) Mike’s foundations in Classical, Metal, Jazz, Folk, Rock and World music have made him dedicate his career to versatility and culture with the highest respect for art by any means necessary. Perhaps he is best described in the following way: Art with a purpose is a force to be reckoned with. Notable Highlights: BA; Music Theory and Composition College of Charleston, SC 1999 Studied with: Dr. David Maves, PHD (1995 ASCAP Composer of the Year) Classical Guitar Studies with Mark Regnier, MA Original Chamber Music performed by members of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (1999). Performed Vivaldi Concerto for two guitars with Kris Woodru